K u n d a i V.
Where to start, where to start. I was born, bred and raised in Zimbabwe, Africa. I come from a family of three kids, and two parents (in case you hadn't figured that one out). I grew up at Karanda Mission Hospital, in northeast Zimbabwe.
Starting at age 10, I went to school away from home (they call it boarding). That started a long road in my life which ultimately led me to Bethel and off course, to Brenda! I went to primary school/junior at Bindura Primary School and high school at Marlborough.
J u s t i n W.
I am privileged to call myself a North Dakotan, where I grew up previous to doing college at Bethel. Part of the reason for choosing Bethel was to move to a larger city (however sacrificing my citizenship in God’s chosen land--ND) in order to broaden my horizons a bit. So, before transferring into Bethel I called into the residence life office to get room assignments. They gave me directions to my dorm along with a list of names of the five others who were to be my roommates, one of the names being “Kundai”. A bit confused, I asked the lady to repeat herself, again she said “Kundai” with the description “He‘s an international student from Zimbabwe”.
I hung up the phone very excited, my world was to be broadened indeed, and the clash of worlds began (in a good way).
I met Brenda soon after. Although she still denies it, I remember her trying to get to know Kundai by getting her roommate to do a “roommate roulette” with him…“that’s the rumor” at least.
My relationship with Kundai and Brenda is very, well I’ll call it “relevant”, insofar as the friendship has progressed throughout many degrees of maturity. Much has happened moving from freshman year to the present, constantly redefining how we relate as our faith reaches new levels. That doesn’t always happen in friendships, thanks K & B.
Blessings
M u n y a
I was born in the great land of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and lived
there my whole life before coming to the US. Those who know me call
me 'HE.' If you don't get it, just call me Chief. The rest of
my family comprising of two parents, four siblings, and one zebra pet
in my back yard are all back in Zim.
I currently am an undergraduate upperclassman majoring in Biology, and
minoring in Chemistry at Bethel. My
goal is to pursue a career in medicine. I also am currently working as a
‘Law and Order Enforcer’ on the University campus together with the
Bethel Ranger Forces.
I first met Kundai when he was 8 months old--that's when I was born. He was cute, and
still is—no wonder Brenda fell in love with him. We grew up together (next door neighbors), attended the same
schools from 1st grade thru 7th, and then college. I have grown to know Kundai as a brother, mentor,
and friend. I respect his love and passion for God and others.
I first met Brenda August of 2002. My fondest
memory is that she LIKED me. Hold up, I mean this in the sense that
she was excited to meet me as Kundai's bro. Since that day, I have
gotten to know her more. I respect Brenda for the passion
she has for God and people, and admire her for her courage to serve
God beyond her homeland.
B r a d P.
I grew up with Kundai in Zimbabwe where my parents were missionaries for many years. I have one sibling named Heather(the one in the wedding party). I graduated from Bethel with a degree in Computer Science. I now work for a software company designing software for managing computer networks.
I have known Kundai for pretty much my entire life. As for Brenda I don't remember where I first met you but I know it was through Kundai. I have had the exciting opportunity to see Kundai grow up to be an incredible man of God, go to college graduate, find a siginificant other and now get married to her.
It has been fun hanging out with them as their relationship has grown. I have had the opportunity to debate topics about God and life with them(though I think Brenda doesn't like how pasionate Kundai and I get in our discussions ;)).
A couple things I have come to know about them, both have a heart for God and are continually striving to follow his lead. Blessings on your future life together guys!
W i l l
I'm currently a Senior (finally) Broadcasting
Major (History minor) at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Il. I'm originally from the Peoria, Il. area. ( I also like long walks in soybean fields)
I met Kundai way back in 2000 at
Illinois Central College in East Peoria, Il. We were both involved in
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. I'm not exactly sure how we first met,
but regardless, we became friends and I feel very blessed to call him a
friend. I had the privilege of meeting Brenda when my friend Jason Evans
and I were visiting Kundai in Minneapolis/St.Paul back in 2003.
As far as staying friends, one of the blessings has been that though we only
"hang out" once or so a year (due to the rather long minneapolis/peoria
commute), I'm able to speak with Kundai about most everything when we do get
together and talk. As of late, we've also been having some
"heart-to-hearts" over the phone (yep, I said it - heart-to-heart). I feel
the Lord has blessed me greatly with a brother in Him as well as a true
friend, and I feel very blessed to be involved in this wedding. I wish
Kundai and Brenda all of God's blessings as they embark upon their lives
together.
J a s o n
I met Kundai during my second year at Illinois Central College in
Peoria, IL Fall of 2000! Boy we are getting old, huh?
During our annual Student Activities Fair, I met Kundai. He
approached the InterVarsity Christian table and asked a question like:
"are you a group that's zealous for the glory of God?" I wasn't sure
what to say, and answered yes. When you consider the lives of the students who have come through InterVarsity, there is little doubt Kundai made a big and lasting
impact felt even to this day.
To Brenda, thank you for taking him off of my hands. I'm so tired
of worrying about that boy. GOSH! It was a joy to meet you, though
briefly when Will and I made our way up to visit you guys,
congratulations. I suffer (to some extent) from "Joshua Harris
Syndrome" and often am skeptical about relationships, but I have only
the greatest confidence in you both. God is faithful to you! DON'T
EVER FORGET THAT!
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The love story....
by Brenda
The start of spring semester 2001 a friend who lived on my floor in Nelson Hall introduced me to two transfer students: Kundai and Justin. My first encounter with Kundai is similar to that of other people. He wasn’t shy and he took a few moments to have a genuine conversation with me. I thought him to be very neatly dressed (his shirt was actually tucked in) and really friendly. I wasn’t sure what to think about Justin…not sure I still do!
I bumped into Kundai now and then in Nelson or in the Dining Center. Then it came time for me to find a Roommate Roulette date for Jessica Graanstra, my freshman year roommate. For those unfamiliar with this Bethel custom, this is an event for your floor where you find a date for your roommate, and she finds one for you and everyone goes out on a group date. I had no idea who to ask for Jessica. Finally I thought of asking Kundai. I thought she would like the fact he is from Zimbabwe. After Justin and I convinced Kundai it was a good idea, I started planning the whole fiasco with Kundai. That’s when we started to get to know each other a little better and Kundai started falling in love with ME.
Well, Jess and Kundai went to Roommate Roulette and didn’t really hit it off romantically. At this point I was still thinking of Kundai as a friend, letting him in on all my secrets of who I had a little crush on.
Not too much time passed and another Bethel event came up- Nikdag. This is when girls ask guys out for a weekend of planned group activities. I wanted to go because my good friend Mackenzie Hartly was going with someone. The guy I wanted to ask was having brain surgery that weekend (no really, he was), so I thought I’d ask my good buddy Kundai. That way it would be all fun and no pressure. All I had to do was ask.
Kundai and I were walking to a Bible study together when he started complaining to me that no girl asked him to Nikdag. I confessed that I was going to ask him after the Bible study that night, but he insisted that he was now the victim of a “pity pick.” Plus, he didn’t like the fact that I didn’t ask in front of all of his friends and give him flowers and make him look really cool. I said, ok fine, I’ll do that.
The following day he was in Market Square (a very busy public area) studying with a classmate. I came up to him, got down on one knee, and presented him a printed picture of a large bouquet of roses and said, “My dearest Kundai, it would be my pleasure if you would accompany me to Nikdag.” I think that’s the only time in the last four years I’ve seen Kundai blush. The edges of his nose were red! Embarrassed, he agreed to go with me.
Nikdag started out with ice skating on Friday evening with a movie afterwards. Neither of us had ever been ice skating before. I managed with minimal falls, but poor Kundai fell about 15 times. I was amazed at his good attitude and humor through all of that. We talked throughout the entire movie afterwards-I don’t even remember what movie it was! We had fun.
The next day the event was going to the Mall of America with Comedy Sportz at the mall. It was when we were walking around the mall that I started having feelings for Kundai. I liked how much fun we had together and how he was different from anyone else I knew. By the end of the day we had a DTR and decided to pray about the relationship and not see one another the whole of Sunday. Monday we felt the same and decided to ease into dating. Technically, we never officially started dating. Nearly four years later Kundai got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. With a huge smile on my face (and no embarrassment!) I said, “Of course!.”
And now I shall marry my best friend.
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Brenda G.
I spent my childhood in the lovely, Dutch Orange City, Iowa. My parents, Rodney and Celia owned and ran a TV and appliance store on Central Avenue, so many of my childhood memories include spending time there. My beautiful sister and dear friend, Sharon, is three years and eight months my elder.
After graduating from Unity Christian High School in 2000, I decided to experience the “big city” and made the journey up to the Twin Cities to attend Bethel College. For many reasons, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made (despite the fact that winter is even worse up here). It is during my second semester at Bethel that I met Kundai.
Sharon A.
I think that my sister summed up our childhood well! There are lots of good memories of growing up in our little Dutch village! I also learned a lot about what it means to be a family when we all pitched in at Rod's TV and Appliance.
Currently I am living in Omaha and work for a social service agency. I made my big transition to the city about 5 years ago after graduating from Dordt College. Since that time I worked for the State of NE and then completed my master's degree in Social Work. I now work with foster care children and their families, a job that always keeps me on my toes!
I met my soon to be brother-in-law several years ago. I loved his personality and the way that he cares for my sister. Being the older sister I am rather protective but, I can honestly say that I am very excited for Kundai to become part of our family!
Lani J.
What can I say? Well let me just say Kundai is my brother. Although many people associate me with the fact that I'm Kundai's sister, I think people only like him because he has such a cool sister. We have one other sister
I am finishing off my junior year as a nursing major at Bethel.
Kundai has been there pretty much since I was born. Although he and I are only thirteen months apart, he tries to convince me he's much older and more responsible. I don't know about that you be the judge. As for Brenda, I met her through my brother and can pretty much say that we're good friends. We go shopping, cook and eat together, and I've done laundry at her house too. So I guess you could say we're pretty much friends.
Kundai I can't believe you're getting married. I'm excited for both of you!
Melissa A.
I was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. Contrary
to popular belief, Nebraska does have more than just
cornfields (Not much more, though). I got a BA in
Sociocultural Studies (Urban Ministries) and a minor
in Art. I work as an Administrative
Assistant and Case Aide for a non-profit, Christian
adoption agency.
I met Brenda and Kundai during our sophomore year at
Bethel. The exact moment and to whom I became friends
with first has been a largely debated issue among the
three of us. While I may know the answer, all
am willing to admit is that God knew I needed them
both in my life and as to when that actually occurred
is nothing more than mundane detail.
In my short life, I have countered numerous people,
some of whom were present only for a brief moment and
others who will remain forever in my heart. Kundai
and Brenda represent the latter of the two. They have
supported me in the good, the bad and the ugly;
believed in me when I myself lacked confidence; and
have loved and accepted me just as I am—flaws and all
(which I must say, I do not have many!). Through
their friendship, they have lived as a witness to my
life, essentially stating through their commitment and
love that I as an individual in a world of many have
been noticed and valued. For this, I am truly
grateful! God has blessed me with two amazing
friends!
Kundai and Brenda, as you begin this new
chapter in your lives, may God’s blessings flow upon
you and may you forever know that your friend from the cornfields of NE has your back! I love you both!
Heather M.
Obang
Kundai and Brenda:My favorite time with you is every moment, and every chance I
hang out with you. Your pure spirit of friendship and
brotherly love meant so much to me through my college career. You have been
there in the bad and good times for support and encouragment.
"Life is not a
destination it is a journey," Pope John the XXIII said, and this is just the beginning of that beautiful journey for you and the Lord will be ahead of you
to guide you.
One moment I want to share with you is when we were watching a movie "Meet the
parents" at our place in Heritage dorm. I was laughing so hard throughout the whole
movie and you all began to laugh, probably laughing at my laughter and later
Brenda came up with a nickname for me "ODANG" or something along that line. Brenda, I love the name by the way.
WIth a lot love from me and a lot more love and blessing from our Lord Jesus
Christ our savior to you.
Yours, Big O (our beloved ex-roommate James came up with this one).
Thanks for your friendship.
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